New to Deep Crankin

[ukfan03]

Hey guys i'm new to deep crankin and would like some tips if you don't mind. Where do you guys like using a deep cranking bait and what time of day? Drop offs, points, around timber? Also what colors usually produce the best? I have some bomber chart blue backs and BPS Ayu Shads but probably need to invest in some other deep cranking baits. Water is usually staind with a couple feet of visibility. Also what kind of retrieve should I use? I've seen ppl crank them fast to get to the desired depth and slow rolling them. I've also seen ppl fish them fast. I've never had much luck with crankbaits and always do good with plastics and jigs.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Welcome to the boards.

You have to experiment with the retrieves.No one way will work best all the time with any cranking method.

One of the best ways to help yourself at this point would probably be to check out some of the articles here on cranking/deep cranking.

[lsufan334]

Number one is equipment.  If you dont have ther right equipment not only will it be hard to deep crank but it will just flat wear you out. Get a low-geared ratio baitcast and a good 7-7.5ft i prefer glass casting rod.  Next is just to remember to keep the crankbait in the strikezone as much as possible.  For example if you are fishing a drop off that drops from 10-17ft with a brushpile in 17ft u need to pick a crankbait that will stay in the zone the longest a crank with at least 17ft diving will be just right.  I normally use 12lb flouro due to the tree tops and brush piles on the river here in bama.  Make long casts past the cover crank it hard to get it down and just slow down your retrieve.  U will want to keep contact with the bottom on most situations.  But vary your retrieve these fish have seen a ton of cranks the one that runs a little different might just be the ticket.  Color on cranks in my opinion doesnt really have that big of an impact.  Its 12-20ft down there how well can they really see??? Dark water im all about chart/blue back. Clear I like citrus shad.  Early year and fall i will throw a craw color.  Those are just personal preference.  But take in mind the last two trips to the Alabama river for me there has been fish spitting up full crawfish in my livewell.  Hope this helps I'm done blabbering.  Im going fishing.

[TheHammer84]

Drop offs, points, any type of deep beds or rocks on the bottom. I use it all times of the day except very early or very late in the day.

I carry chartreuse/green backs, shad color (gizzard or threadfin for clear waters), and red and black craws for early in the year. 3/4 ounce luhr jensen hot lips express and Strike King 6xds (always hated SK lipped crankbaits, but they hit the nail on the head with these), and i replace the stock trebles with Owner Stingers, for some reason they seem to get snagged less

I typically just keep a steady crank (use 5.x gear ratio baitcasters, 7.5"+ foot rods, 10#-12# fluoro), but there's sometimes where I use a retrieve where I sweep the rod and then let the bait sit while I take the rod tip back to the starting point and reel in the slack.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Like the other guys said, you really should have the type of equipment for deep cranks.  A nice long rod and low geared reel will really lessen the workload you put on your body.  I personally use a 7.5' glass/graphite composite with a 5.2:1 ratio reel.  Use an appropriate line size as well.  I like using 12lb fluoro for my cranking.  I know roughly that that takes about 1.5' away from the lure depth.  So keep that in mind as well when choosing a crankbait.  The longer rod lets you launch the lure a mile which helps keep it down longer during your retrieve.  As far as color goes, I personally like more natural looking baits.  Like Lsufan334 mentioned, there is certainly a time when a chart patterned bait will be the smarter choice.  I think the action and noise the lure makes is more important than the color.